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Mosquito Aerial Spray in Louisiana

Beekeepers in Louisiana should be aware of aerial spray in their area.

Beginning September 19, 2008 mosquito aerial spraying will start in four Louisiana parishes, Cameron, Vermilion, Iberia and St. Mary, in hurricane impacted areas and continue during the next few weeks. Additional parishes may be added as needed.

Specially equipped U.S. Air Force Reserve (AFRC) C-130H cargo planes from the 910th Airlift Wing, Youngstown, Ohio will be conducting the aerial spraying operation using the insecticide Dibrom (also known as naled) approximately the last 2-3 hours of daylight. The planes will be flying at or above 200 feet above ground level during the actual spraying application dispensing Dibrom in ultra-low volume droplets.

Spraying is necessary to prevent the possible spread of mosquito-borne diseases such as West Nile virus and other encephalites that are endemic to this area.

Naled used in mosquito control programs does not pose unreasonable risks to wildlife or the environment. Naled degrades rapidly in the environment, and it displays low toxicity to birds and mammals. Acute and chronic risk to fish is not expected, but there is potential for risks to invertebrates from the repeated use of naled. Naled is highly toxic to insects, including beneficial insects such as honeybees. For that reason, EPA has established specific precautions on the label to reduce such risk.